Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Campbell, Donald (d.1562)
CAMPBELL, DONALD (d. 1562), abbot of Cupar (Coupar) Angus, and bishop-elect of Brechin, was the fourth and youngest son of Archibald, second earl of Argyll [q. v.], by his wife, Lady Elizabeth Stewart, eldest daughter of John, first earl of Lennox. He was appointed abbot of Cupar on 18 June 1526, and in this capacity was present at the parliaments held by James V in 1532, 1535, 1540, and 1541. On 15 March 1543 he was chosen a member of the privy council to the Earl of Arran, and on 14 Aug. 1546 one of the lords of the articles. He was again nominated a privy councillor on 18 March 1547, and elected one of the lords of the articles on 12 April 1554. He held the office of privy seal under the Earl of Arran, and it is supposed retained it till his death. On 2 July 1541 he was nominated by James V one of the senators of the College of Justice. In 1559 he was nominated to the see of Brechin, but the pope refused to confirm it on account of the abbot's inclination towards the new doctrines, and he never assumed the title. He was present at the convention of estates on 1 Aug. 1560, when acts were passed ratifying the new ‘confession of faith,’ annulling the authority of the pope, and prohibiting the hearing of mass, but did not accept any post under the new system of ecclesiastical government. He died shortly before 20 Dec. 1562. He is said to have left five illegitimate sons, to each of whom he gave an estate.
[Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, vol. ii.; Keith's Scottish Bishops, p. 165; Haig and Brunton's Senators of the College of Justice, pp. 69-70; Rogers's Rental Book of the Cistercian Abbey of Cupar Angus, i. 100-13.]